and it looks like russia's stedfast support for assad could be nearing its end. the influential russian lawmaker who is tight with vladimir putin said, quote, we have shared and do share the opinion that the existing government in syria should carry out its functions, but time has shown its task is beyond its strength. back in washington, a spokesman for secretary clinton warned of the perils that the syrian people would confront even in a post assad era. >> we know these groups, al-qaeda and others, troy to take advantage of the environment assad has fostered over the last year or so. it is important that they -- that the syrian people get a government out of all of this that is representative of their desires and as separations. they -- aspirations. they don't want to trade one for the other. >> that has been a concern for u.s. policy makers in all of these mideast countries affected by the arab spring. >> what secretary clinton and most others are hoping is president assad will step down. any indication that might happen? >> judging on the pro nuns ments of hi